By Stefanos Tatsios/ info@eurohoops.net
The Basketball Champions League playoffs are over and the Final Four approaches, but fans are trying to nail down the MVP of the 2018-19 season. Many players produced some strong showings and are included in the discussions, but Eurohoops picked out six strong candidates for the MVP award.
TYRESE RICE
Brose Bamberg|Guard|15 May 1987|USA
16.6 pts|2.6 reb|4.7 ast|1 stl|0 blk|3.1 trn|29:07 min|13.2 pir
When Brose Bamberg added Tyrese Rice, many wondered if the American guard will manage to get the German side back on track. He certainly delivered during his Basketball Champions League campaign with numerous strong showings.
Rice was clutch against Banvit and AEK proving again and again that he’s among the top guards of the tournament. Despite the strong competition, the Boston College alumni is definitely among the hot favorites for the MVP honor as well.
VINCE HUNTER
AEK|Center|5 August 1994|USA
18 pts|8.1 reb|1.7 ast|1.3 stl|1.1 blk|1.3 trn|26:30 min| 22.8 pir
Vince Hunter helped AEK win both the Basketball Champions League and the Greek Cup last year, but added on his impressive performances this season with huge statlines in many Basketball Champions League contests to display.
The Queen was eliminated from the Final Four, but Hunter’s campaign was historic to say the least. He was the difference-maker both offensively and defensively. If AEK had made it to the Final Four, he would already be considered the MVP.
PARIS LEE
Telenet Giants Antwerp|Guard|20 April 1995|USA
13.7 pts|2.4 reb|5 ast|1.9 stl|0 blk| 1.7 trn| 29:10 min|13.2 pir
Surprise-package Telenet Giants Antwerp not only advanced to the Final Four, but will host the four top teams of the 2018-19 Basketball Champions League campaign. The side with the home-court advantage won the first two BCL Final Fours and the Belgians certainly hope to extend this run.
Paris Lee has made the best out of his Champions League campaign so far, especially during the playoffs. Without him, Antwerp’s season would likely be utterly different. The Illinois State alumni was the key in the team’s impressive run and warrants a spot in the MVP race.
KEVIN PUNTER
Segafredo Virtus Bologna|Guard|25 June 1993|USA
15.1 pts|2.9 reb|1.7 ast|1.1 stl|0.3 blk|0.7 trn|26:07 min|13 pir
Segafredo Virtus Bologna was considered a team able to advance to the Final Four from the beginning of the 2018-19 Basketball Champions League tournament. The Italian side delivered all season long behind the quality and experienced players in its roster.
Coming off his effective performances with AEK all the way to BCL glory, Kevin Punter made his way back to the Final Four as Virtus’ leader. He’s helpful all-around, but offense is his best attribute. His 2018-19 showings incorporate him in the MVP race.
TIM ABROMAITIS
Iberostar Tenerife|Forward|17 September 1989|USA
11.3 pts|5.3 reb|1.6 ast|0.7 stl|0.2 blk|1.1 trn|23:07 min|13.6 pir
Iberostar Tenerife is an established Basketball Champions League force. The Spanish team marched all the way to the top in 2017 and remained among the strong clubs of the competition ever since. Last season, Tenerife missed out on Final Four action, but this year marked its return.
Tim Abromaitis, one of the best forwards of the 2018-19 BCL season, is among the main reasons the Spanish club is back in the Final Four. His strong campaign peaked in the quarterfinals and his 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals averages against Hapoel Jerusalem went a long way into the MVP conversations.
JAMES FELDEINE
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem|Guard|26 June 1988|USA
16.4 pts|3 reb|3.3 ast|0.7 stl|0.2 blk|1.3 trn|29:20 min|14.4 pir
Many expected Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to make it to the Basketball Champions League Final Four. The Israeli club’s elimination proved the depth of the tournament in terms of strong teams all the way to the quarterfinals.
Oded Kattash’s quality players included Amar’e Stoudemire and Tamir Blatt, but James Feldeine was the leader. He averaged 20 points in the series versus Iberostar Tenerife, but wasn’t enough for the Final Four berth.
Feldeine is a candidate for the MVP award in spite of his team not progressing to the final stage of the 2018-19 season. His very strong campaign, one of the best of his career, makes him one of the options.